1 State of Arkansas
2 94th General Assembly
3 Fiscal Session, 2024 SR 21
4
5 By: Senator Stone
6
7 SENATE RESOLUTION
8 TO COMMEND THE DEDICATED PASTORS, LEADERS, AND
9 TEACHERS OF THE MISSIONARY BAPTIST SEMINARY AND
10 INSTITUTE, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT, FOR THEIR
11 LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE THAT HAS LED THE MISSIONARY
12 BAPTIST SEMINARY AND INSTITUTE TO THE CELEBRATION OF
13 ITS NINETIETH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION.
14
15
16 Subtitle
17 TO COMMEND THE DEDICATED PASTORS,
18 LEADERS, AND TEACHERS OF THE MISSIONARY
19 BAPTIST SEMINARY AND INSTITUTE, BOTH PAST
20 AND PRESENT, FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND
21 GUIDANCE THAT HAS LED TO THE NINETIETH
22 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
23
24
25 WHEREAS, the Missionary Baptist Seminary and Institute, a vision of Dr.
26 Benjamin M. Bogard, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, located at 22nd and
27 Brown St., in Little Rock, Arkansas, opened for classes in October of 1934
28 with twenty-six (26) students and a stated purpose of educating Missionary
29 Baptist preachers and Christian workers throughout the state; and
30
31 WHEREAS, under the leadership of Dr. L.D. Foreman (1947-1966), a new
32 building became a reality and was constructed at 3310 Asher Avenue in Little
33 Rock, and the organization received certification to accept veterans’
34 benefits to enroll veteran students and certification to provide immigration
35 and naturalization services to enroll foreign students; and
36
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 SR21
1 WHEREAS, during the tenure of Dr. John E. Owen (1973-1986), new
2 apartments, school buildings, and dormitories were constructed, and the
3 school was chartered by the State of Arkansas to grant an Associate Degree in
4 Bible and Bachelor, Masters, and Doctorates in Bible Languages and Theology;
5 and
6
7 WHEREAS, under the leadership of Dr. Roger Copeland (2019-present), the
8 Missionary Baptist Seminary and Institute continues to strive for excellence,
9 ambitious plans are in motion to construct a new building, and property has
10 been obtained in Saline County, symbolizing a future of expansion and
11 innovation; and
12
13 WHEREAS, the members of the Senate wish to join Senator Matthew Stone
14 in commending the dedicated pastors, leaders, and teachers of the Missionary
15 Baptist Seminary and Institute, both past and present, for their leadership
16 and guidance that has led this institution to the celebration of its
17 ninetieth anniversary of operation,
18
19 NOW THEREFORE,
20 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
21 STATE OF ARKANSAS:
22
23 THAT the Senate commend the dedicated pastors, leaders, and teachers of
24 the Missionary Baptist Seminary and Institute, both past and present, for
25 their leadership and guidance that has led the Missionary Baptist Seminary
26 and Institute to the celebration of its ninetieth year anniversary of
27 operation.
28
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon adoption of this resolution, a copy be
30 provided to the Missionary Baptist Seminary and Institute by the Secretary of
31 the Senate.
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2 4/16/2024 8:08:19 AM ANS477